Georgia
Georgia is a country at the interface between Europe and Asia. It is also not unambiguously to be attributed to Asia or Europe, culturally and historically it has much connection with Europe, geographically the Ural Mountains from North to South and the Caucasus from East to West are considered as the border of the two continents and therefore Georgia is geographically located in Asia. It borders Russia to the north, Turkey and Armenia to the south, and Azerbaijan to the east. Abkhazia and South Ossetia are renegades and are recognized as sovereign only by Russia and some other states. Georgia was part of the Soviet Union until the collapse of the Soviet Republic. Stalin comes from Georgia.
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Facts & Figures
Capital: Tbilisi (in German speaking countries aka Tiflis)
Area: close to 57.200 km² (excl. Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which Georgia is claiming)
Population: ca. 3,7 Mio (excl. Abkhazia and South Ossetia)
Population Density: 65,2 residents per km²
Official Language: Georgian
Foreign Languages: English, Russian
Religion: 84% Georgian-orthodox christians, 10% Muslim, other christian Groups and Jews
Currency: 1 Lari (GEL) = 100 Tetri
Time diference to MEZ: +3 h
Electricity: 220 Volts/50 Hz Alternating Current
Visa requirements: No, for stays of up to one year (EU-citizens)
Travel documents: Passport
Nearly 90 percent of the country is covered by mountains or foothills, in the North by the Greater Caucasus, in the South by the Lesser Caucasus and the Armenian Highlands. Between them lie the Kolchian Plain in the west and the Transcaucasian Valley in the east. The west and east are separated by the Lichi Mountains.
At 5,201 metres, Sharah is the highest mountain in the country and is part of the Greater Caucasus. The longest river is the Kura (Georgian Mtkwari), which also flows through Tbilisi. Apart from Tbilisi (Tbilisi), Batumi, Kutaisi, Rustawi, Sochumi and Gori are the largest cities in the country.
Uschba, ein Doppelgipfel im Großen Kaukasus, in der georgischen Region Swanetien.
Foto: Zurab Tsertsvadze
Climate & best time to travel
Georgia is small but has three climatic zones: on the Black Sea coast and in the Kolchis plain a subtropical one, a continental one east of the Lichige Mountains and an alpine climate in the mountainous regions. Thanks to the influence of the sea, the West has mild winters with long, warm summers with high humidity and annual rainfall between 1,200mm and 2,000m. The further east you go, the lower the rainfall. The east is generally drier and temperatures are 4 degrees colder on average. Winters are usually not very snowy, but temperatures can be as low as 0 degrees Celsius, while summer temperatures can be as high as 30 degrees Celsius. Most rainfall falls between April and October, while August is drier. In the mountainous regions the temperatures decrease with increasing altitude and it remains quite cool even in the summer. Many peaks are covered with snow all year round.
Due to the different climatic zones, it is easy to travel to Georgia all year round. Winter is a good time to travel for winter sports enthusiasts, for everyone else it is recommended to travel between mid-May and the end of October. From mid-October to mid-May mountain regions are often inaccessible due to snowfall, but this time of travel is very pleasant for the regions of Lower Carthia, Samtskhe-Javakhetia and Kakhetia. Summer travelers should focus on the high mountain regions of Swanetia, Chewsuretia and Tushetia, which are often difficult to reach before June.
Food & Drinks
The Georgian cuisine is very varied with many fresh ingredients. People like to eat meat, eggplant, walnuts, pomegranates, breads baked in clay ovens, cheese and season with fresh herbs such as coriander and peppermint. Wine is enjoyed as well as wine, as Georgia is also a growing region for excellent wines.
Entry & Visa
Citizens of EU countries do not need a visa if they enter Georgia and stay there for a maximum of 1 year. Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa if they enter Georgia and stay there for a maximum of 1 year: United States, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Israel, the Holy See (Vatican), Andorra, San Marino, Iceland, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, South Korea, Qatar, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman, the Sultanate Brunei, Singapore, Australia, Monaco, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Seychelles, Botswana, Croatia, Chile, St. Kitts and Nevis, Argentina, Malaysia, Mexico, Uruguay, Mauritius, Panama, Costa Rica, South Africa, Brazil, Thailand, Belize, Saudi Arabia, poor Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. (subject to change)
If you are travelling to Georgia with children, please note that child entries in a parent’s passport are no longer valid. Each child needs their own identification document.
Health & Vaccinations
The situation in hospitals, especially outside the capital, often does not meet European standards, but is adequate for basic care. In remote areas, rapid and efficient medical care cannot be expected in the event of illness or accident. Pharmacies European standards can now be found in every city. However, it is advisable to bring your own personal travel pharmacy with important medications (headaches, diarrhea, flu, bladder patch).
As far as vaccinations are concerned, there are no compulsory vaccinations for Georgia. Nevertheless, we recommend vaccinations against tetanus, polio, diphtheria and hepatitis A+B.
The drinking water quality in Georgia is good, but sensitive stomachs may have a problem with it, so it is recommended to drink only bottled or boiled water for safety.
Good to know
- The export of sums of money from 30,000 GEL must be declared at the time of departure. The luggage must be re-exported in its entirety. The export of precious metals and furs is not permitted, carpets, commercial antiques and works of art may only be exported with the permission of the Ministry of Culture, which is usually available in a short time with the help of the vendors. It is advisable to inquire about possible export restrictions prior to the conclusion of a business.
- Photography is allowed almost anywhere in Georgia. Only in churches it is usually forbidden. If you plan to photograph people, it is important to get their consent first. You should definitely bring movies, memory cards and batteries from home, as quality and prices can vary greatly in Georgia.
- Dress code: For visits to churches, ladies should have a cloth and a longer skirt (required in strict monasteries), men should have long trousers (up to the knees) and a t-shirt that reaches over the shoulder. Otherwise, you can wear what you are used to at home in Georgia.
